WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/12/14

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National / International News

 

<> EPA & Corps Extend Comment On WOTUS - U.S. EPA & the Army Corps of Engineers have extended the comment period for the rule Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Clean Water Act. The extension provides an additional 91 days until October 20, 2014. Comments on the interpretive rule on agricultural exemptions has also been extended 30 days until July 7, 2014

• Notice of Extensions

<> The American Medical Association's House of Delegates Supports EPA's Carbon Pollution Standards - Dan Utech, Special Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change posting indicates the body representing more than 500 medical associations and organizations, voted to formally reaffirm their support for carbon pollution standards for power plants and committed to submit comments on the EPA's proposal underscoring the need to keep strong standards that protect public health.

<> Assumptions to the Annual Energy Outlook 2014 - This report presents the major assumptions of the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) used to generate the projections in the Annual Energy Outlook 2014, including general features of the model structure, assumptions concerning energy markets, and the key input data and parameters that are the most significant in formulating the model results.

<> Shell joins EDF's Methane Detectors Challenge days before application deadline - Environmental Defense Fund welcomes SWEPI LP (Shell) to the list of companies participating in the pioneering "Methane Detectors Challenge" with seven days remaining for technology developers to submit proposals.

<> American Chemistry Council Files Lawsuit to Remove DINP from Prop 65 List – ACC says listing is unwarranted - diisononyl phthalate (DINP) is not a human carcinogen. . .

<> Energy Department Invests Over $10 Million to Improve Grid Reliability and Resiliency - $10 million for projects that will improve the reliability and resiliency of the U.S. electric grid and facilitate quick and effective response to grid conditions.

<> New Report: Water and Climate Risks Are a Growing Threat to U.S. Corn Production - A new Ceres report shows that water and climate change risks are rising in the $67 billion U.S. corn sector, contributing to production and price volatility and growing concern by corn buyers that the nation's largest crop needs to be grown more sustainably.

<> Clothes Dryers Cost Consumers Up to $4 Billion in Annual Energy Waste - The clothes dryers in U.S. homes are wasting up to $4 billion worth of electricity annually because energy-saving standards for the common appliance have not been significantly updated for almost 30 years, according to a Natural Resources Defense Council report. . .

<> American Views on the Existence of Global Warming: 2008-2014 - More Americans view global warming by what they see outside their windows and not scientific evidence, according to a University of Michigan survey.

<> Meet the 19-Year-Old With a 10-Year Plan to Clean Half the Pacific Ocean - Boyan Slat is the president and founder of the Ocean Cleanup and creator of a technology he says can clean half the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in a decade

<> Monarch Butterfly Decline Linked to GE Crops and Shrinking Habitat - According to a new study in the Journal of Animal Ecology, the deficiency of milkweed plants due to the rapid spread of genetically engineered (GE) crops is one of the primary reasons for the decline in monarch butterflies.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Thursday, June 12, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Nothing We're Tracking Today (click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/11/14

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National / International News

 

<> HEARING: Potential Impacts of Proposed Changes to the Clean Water Act Jurisdictional Rule

<> House Supports Critical Transportation and Infrastructure Priorities - House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) released the following statement applauding House passage of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (H.R. 4745)

• Legislative details fro H.R.4745
• House Approves the Fiscal Year 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill

<> Senators Boxer and Vitter Applaud Signing of Water Infrastructure Bill into Law - Statement below following the President's signing of the Water Resources and Reform Development Act (WRRDA) into law.

• WRRDA Signed Into Law

<> Distilling Science at the Experimental Lakes Area: Climate change and water - This video describes research being conducted at the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), Canada, into the effects of climate change on lake ecosystems

<> 80 Orgs Call on Apple to Eliminate Dangerous Chemicals From Chinese Supply Chain  - 80 environmental and human rights organizations, socially responsible investment firms, and occupational health professionals from 27 countries sent a letter today to Apple's VP of Environmental Affairs Lisa Jackson, the former head of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urging her to address worker safety in its supplier factories in China.

<> Compliance with Flexibility: State approaches to reduce GHG emissions from existing power plants - This article appears in the June 2014 issue of EM Magazine, a publication of the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA)

<> Some states push back against proposed EPA carbon rule

<> USDA Awards Loans and Grants to Support Rural Economic Development

<> Crude-by-rail transportation provides Bakken Shale production access to major markets - U.S. Energy Information Administration reports on the fact that as onshore crude oil production in the United States increased over the past few years, producers have increasingly moved crude oil out of production areas by rail.

<> John Podesta Announces National Marine Sanctuary Nomination Process is Reopened - The rulemaking allows Americans to nominate areas in our ocean and Great Lakes as national marine sanctuaries. NOAA has been unable to accept new nominations since 1995.

<> New video illustrates the high stakes of rail competition reform - American Chemistry Council just released this new video to help illustrate how the lack of freight rail competition and outdated policies are negatively impacting the chemical industry, which employs nearly 800,000 Americans and is on track to invest more than $100 billion in the U.S.

<> Oceana Launches Interactive Map Showing Global Reach of Seafood Fraud - The map, which is the most current and comprehensive review of seafood fraud literature to date, compiles more than 100 studies from 29 countries and every continent except Antarctica.

<> FDA, EPA advise pregnant women, children to eat more low-mercury fish - Federal officials on Tuesday announced major changes in advice to pregnant and breastfeeding women by recommending consumption of at least 8 ounces of low-mercury fish per week. . .

<> Vermont Prepared for Challenges to GE Labeling Law - The law, which is the first of its kind in the nation, was specially written so that it created  the Food Fight Fund that allows individuals to donate to defend the law if it were to be challenged in court.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Wednesday, June 11, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Nothing We're Tracking Today (click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/10/14

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National / International News

 

<> FACT SHEET: Supporting Western Governors As They Deal with Wildfire, Drought, and Other Climate Impacts - President Obama is committed to ensuring that his Administration is doing everything it can to help the farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and communities being impacted by wildfires, droughts, and other impacts of our. . .

• Readout of the President's Meeting with Western Governors on Wildfire Preparedness - As part of the Western Governors Association annual meeting, President Obama met with a bipartisan group of western Governors via video-teleconference to discuss wildfire season and associated preparedness. . .
• Interior Announces Nearly $20 Million in WaterSMART Funding for Water and Energy Efficiency Projects and River Basin Studies at Western Governors' Annual Meeting

<> USDA Releases State by State Impacts of Limited Wildfire Suppression In Recent Years - The U.S. Department of Agriculture released information showing how limited federal firefighting budgets have impacted states over the last two fiscal years (FYs 2012 and 2013).

<> WV AG Calls CO2 Proposed Rule legally flawed; urges the EPA to immediately withdraw - West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey sent a detailed letter to U.S. EPA outlining numerous and very specific legal objections to its plan to regulate carbon dioxide emissions for existing power plants.

<> FDA and EPA issue draft updated advice for fish consumption - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued updated draft advice on. . .

<> C2ES examines options for a felexible, ambitious climate agreement - The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) new report examining options for the new international climate change agreement due next year in Paris: "Building Flexibility and Ambition into a 2015 Climate Agreement"

<> USDA Announces Funding Availability for Biomass Crops for Energy - WASHINGTON, June 9, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications June 16 from energy facilities interested in receiving. . .

<> Power sector CO2 emissions sensitive to policy changes and natural gas supply - U.S. Energy Information Administration indicates that in 2012, almost 40% of total energy-related CO2 emissions resulted from electricity generation. About three-fourths of those power sector emissions occurred from burning coal. . .

<> Algal Biofuels Consortium Releases Groundbreaking Research Results - DOE's Bioenergy Technologies Office webinar on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

<> Senators Release GAO Report Showing Legal Concerns Deals with Uranium Enriching Company - GAO report finds shuttered USEC facility received hundreds of millions worth of uranium while ignoring laws and losing taxpayer money

• GAO-14-291, Department of Energy: Enhanced Transparency Could Clarify Costs, Market Impact, Risk, and Legal Authority to Conduct Future Uranium Transactions, May 09, 2014

<> Energy Department Announces New Energy Efficiency Financing Publication Available through SEE Action Network - June 9, 2014. The State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action)

<> NASA Announces Briefing on New Mission to Track Global Carbon Dioxide - NASA will hold a media briefing at 2 p.m. EDT Thursday, June 12, at the NASA Headquarters James E. Webb Auditorium in Washington to discuss the upcoming Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 mission.

<> NREL Finds Up to 6-cent per Kilowatt-Hour Extra Value with Concentrated Solar Power - Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) projects would add additional value of 5 or 6 cents per kilowatt hour to utility-scale solar energy in California where 33 percent renewables will be mandated in six years, a new report. . .

<> GAO-14-374, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education: Assessing the Relationship between Education and the Workforce, May 08, 2014 - What GAO Found Both the number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees awarded and the number of jobs in STEM fields increased in recent years. The number of degrees awarded in STEM fields. . .

<> U.S. Senator Landrieu Bashes New Clean Air Act Protections While Visiting the Largest Source of Illegal Air Pollution in Louisiana - Devin Martin, with Sierra Club in Louisiana

 

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

 

<> CTS Corp. v. Waldburger - 6/9/14. In the the U.S. Supreme Court, Docket No. 13-339. Appealed from the Fourth Circuit. The issue involved is whether the Fourth Circuit correctly interpreted the preemption provision of CERCLA to apply to state statutes of repose in addition to state statutes of limitations. In a complicated split decision the High Court ruled in part, "A divided panel of the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that §9658 does pre-empt statutes of repose. That holding was in error, and, for the reasons that follow, the judgment of the Court of Appeals must be reversed."

• Supreme Court Supports Toxic Polluters, Imperils Camp Lejeune Vets' Litigation - "I am outraged by today's Supreme Court decision which once again demonstrates the power of corporations over the rights of individual in this country," said consumer advocate Erin Brockovich.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Tuesday, June 10, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Nothing We're Tracking Today (click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/9/14

Subscribe by June 30, 2014 to avoid disruption in service 
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National / International News

 

<> Celebration of World Oceans Day 2014 - The Twentieth Anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

• 10 Spectacular Underwater Places Worth Protecting

<> Draft (6-5-14) SAB Review of the Draft EPA Report Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters

• Background, Meetings & Documents

<> Department of State issues a June 6, 2014 Errata Sheet for the Keystone XL Final SEIS - Among other items, the rail incident analysis is updated and for the 10-year period, the number of reported injuries increases from 700 to 2,947 and fatalities increase from 92 to 434. . .

• Complete State Department KXL Documents

<> GWP/WMO Release Drought Management Guidelines - The GWP/WMO Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP) released a new publication on National Drought Management Policy Guidelines: A Template for Action

<> Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2015 Energy and Water Bill - The House Appropriations Committee today released the fiscal year 2015 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies - The bill totals $34 billion –$50 million below the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and an increase of $327 million above the President's request.

<> GAO-14-431, Small Business Research Programs: More Guidance and Oversight Needed to Comply with Spending and Reporting Requirements, June 06, 2014 - What GAO Found Agency data indicate that 8 of the 11 agencies participating in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and 2 of the 5 agencies participating in the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

<> The Status of the Highway Trust Fund, June 2014 - Presentation by Sarah Puro, CBO Analyst, to Americans for Transportation Mobility

<> EPA Announces Funding for Tribes to Clean Up Diesel Engines - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that grant funding is available for tribal applicants to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing emissions from older diesel engines. 

<> EPA Ensures Company Discloses Pesticide Hazards - A Milwaukee pesticide manufacturer paid a $738,000 civil penalty to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for advertising Rozol Prairie Dog Bait (Rozol PD) without identifying it as a restricted use. . .

<> Beyond Paris, Part 2: The Dire Consequences of Inaction - What are the future impacts of a changing climate system? Extreme weather? Higher sea level? More drought and heat waves? Where will these impacts be felt the most? Answering these questions depends on a simple factor. . .

<> The Clean Power Plan: NRDC's Initial Analysis of EPA's Landmark Proposal to Curb Carbon Pollution from the Nation's Power Plants - On June 2nd, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed the nation's first limits on carbon pollution from the nation's fleet of more than 1600 fossil fueled fired. . .

<> Vitter: Germany Lifting Ban on Hydraulic Fracturing Should Be Wake Up Call - Senator warns Chancellor Merkel of environmental activists' attempts to vilify successful technology important to economic growth

<> UN FAO Report: "Success Stories On Climate-Smart Agriculture" - As the global farming community continues to curb climate change and food insecurity, the United Nations agriculture agency today spotlighted the best practices

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Monday, June 9, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Climate, Air - Notice. U.S. EPA. Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program - Publication of Aggregated Greenhouse Gas Data PDF | Text |

 

2. Air - Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA. Air Quality Implementation Plans - Approvals and Promulgations: Withdrawal of the Prior Determination or Presumption That Compliance With the CAIR or the NOX PDF | Text |

 

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/6/14

Subscribe by June 30, 2014 to avoid disruption in service 
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National / International News

 

<> A Shared Commitment: Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security – U.S. EPA announces today's release of the status report to the President, entitled Actions to Improve Chemical Facility Safety and Security – A Shared Commitment, summarizes the Working Group's progress, focusing on actions to date, findings and lessons learned, challenges, and short and long-term priority actions.

<> World Environment Day -  World Environment Day Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC June 5, 2014 The United States is proud to mark World Environment Day and this year we are especially focused on the unique. . .

• World Environment Day website

<> GAO-14-499, Fusion Energy: Actions Needed to Finalize Cost and Schedule Estimates for U.S. Contributions to an International Experimental Reactor, June 05, 2014 - Since the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Agreement was signed in 2006, the Department of Energy's (DOE) estimated cost for the U.S. portion of ITER has grown by almost $3 billion. . .

<> The Year of Concentrating Solar Power: Five New Plants to Power America with Clean Energy - The Year of Concentrating Solar Power: Five New Plants to Power America with Clean Energy Learn about a new report that explains why 2014 is the year for concentrating solar power in the U.S.

<> Energy Department Announces up to $4.6 Million through the Fuel Cell Technologies Incubator Funding Opportunity Announcement to Support Innovations in Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Fuel Technologies

<> Definition of Waters of the United States Under the Clean Water Act - Landing page summary:  The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration respectfully requests that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency extend the comment period for the proposed rule Definition of Waters of the United States Under the Clean Water Act. . .

• Breaking Down the Economics of Obama's Waters of the U.S. Rule – Information from the Senate GOP Environment and Public Works Committee

<> Definition of Destruction or Adverse Modification of Critical Habitat -

Landing page summary:  The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration respectfully requests that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service extend comment period. . .

<> Sen. Murkowski: EPA Power Plant Rule Threatens Reliability of Electricity Grid - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today said the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) unilateral effort to bypass Congress and impose climate regulations on the economy threatens the reliability and. . .

<> EPA Carbon Standard Opens the Door for Renewables, Now States Must Take Them over the Threshold - But in order to keep the U.S. moving toward a truly low-carbon economy, states must seize the opportunity and make renewables a cornerstone of their compliance plans.

<> The Energy Collective Analyzes EPA's Power Plant Carbon Regulations [VIDEO] - On Monday, the EPA unveiled an historic proposal to cut carbon emissions from the nation's power plants to 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. The ambitious and flexible proposed regulations would see each state develop. . .

<> U.S. Drought Monitor Update for June 3, 2014 - According to the June 3 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to exceptional drought covers 37.3% of the contiguous U.S. . .

<> Fuel economy of new vehicles at highest mark ever - Fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the U.S. set another record high last month, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

<> Dragun Corporation Environmental Blog - Highlights Patrick Moore, founder of Greenpeace, on where greens went badly wrong.

<> We are all Forest Defenders: CIEL launches key rights tools for YOU to push for stronger international policy on REDD+ - Allie Silverman, Staff Attorney, Climate & Energy Program. When you work on international environmental law and policy issues as I do, it can sometimes be challenging. . .

<> REPORT: Carbon Majors Funding Loss and Damage - The world's top-emitting companies should be made accountable for their role in global warming and pay for the loss and damage suffered in many developing countries according to a new report by the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Climate Justice Programme.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Friday, June 6, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Nothing We're Tracking Today (click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/5/14

Subscribe by June 30, 2014 to avoid disruption in service 
(click here)

 

National / International News

 

<> Reddit "Ask Me Anything" with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy -

Gina McCarthy, Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, took to Reddit yesterday to answer questions about the EPA's proposed rules to cut carbon pollution in our power plants. During the "Ask Me Anything. . .

<> FACT SHEET: The 2014 G-7 Summit in Brussels - The leaders of the G-7 met in Brussels on June 4-5 after the previously scheduled G-8 Summit in Sochi, Russia, was cancelled when G-7 leaders suspended Russia's. . .

• G-7 Leaders Statement – Foreign Policy - Brussels, Belgium June 4, 2014 Ukraine We welcome the successful conduct under difficult circumstances of the election in Ukraine on 25 May. The strong voter turnout underlined the determination of Ukraine's citizens to determine. . . 
• The Brussels G-7 Summit Declaration - Brussels, Belgium June 5, 2014 1.       We, the Leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. . .

<> EPA: This white board video explains the details of our Clean Power Plan - This white board video explains the details of our Clean Power Plan. 

<> API: EPA proposal not consistent with 'all of the above' energy strategy, harms American jobs and economy

• EPA Says Its Climate Plan Will Help Natural Gas Beat Out Coal—So Why Does the Biggest Oil-and-Gas Lobby Hate It?

<> EPA Seeks To Expand Use of Toxic Pesticide 2,4-D - The U.S. EPA has proposed to permit Dow AgroSciences, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical Company to sell an extraordinarily potent weed-killer called Enlist® Duo, a new formulation that contains both 2,4-D and glyphosate, the herbicide in Monsanto's notorious weed-killer RoundUp.

<> Obama Administration Agrees to Stronger Protections for Salmon From Pesticides - The agreement restores reasonable no-spray buffer zones to protect salmon and steelhead from five broad-spectrum insect killers – diazinon, chlorpyrifos, malathion, carbaryl, and methomyl.

<> Report Finds Successful Efforts to Reduce Deforestation - Programs and policies to reduce tropical deforestation are seeing broad success in 17 countries across four continents, according to UCS. . .

<> Transforming the climate conversation through social video - Choice video is a powerful medium to influence consumer beliefs on climate change, especially when the message is shared from a trusted. . .

<> EPA's Response on Pesticide Drift and Children's Health Challenged -

(Beyond Pesticides, June 5, 2014) Environmental advocacy groups filed an Administration Objection and a court appeal last week in order to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) refusal to quickly correct errors. . .

<> Ontario County, Canada, Takes Stand Against Pesticides Linked to Bee Decline - (Beyond Pesticides, June 4, 2015) A county in southern Ontario has become the first Canadian municipality, according to reports, to temporarily ban a controversial class of insecticides linked to be bee deaths in Canada and. . .

 

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

 

<> In Re: Deepwater Horizon - 6/4/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, Case No. 12-30883. Defendants BP Exploration & Production, Inc. (BP) and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (Anadarko) appeal summary judgment in favor of the government on the question of their liability for civil penalties, which imposes mandatory penalties upon the owners of facilities "from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged." The Panel ruled:"we affirm the grant of partial summary judgment with respect to the well owners' liability for civil penalties. . ."

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Thursday, June 5, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Air – Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA - Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations PDF | Text |

2. Air – Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA - Managing Emissions From Oil and Natural Gas Production in Indian Country PDF | Text | 

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet

Due to computer problems at WIMS, we are posting 

the complete Michigan Edition of the HotSheet 

on a temporary basis until the problems are resolved

Subscribe by June 30, 2014 to avoid disruption in service 
(click here)

 

National / International News

 

<> EPA Releases Stakeholder Comments On Clean power Plan - Part One

• EPA Releases Stakeholder Comments On Clean power Plan - Part Two

<> Ministers Join Next Round of UN Climate Talks Kicking Off in Bonn June 4 - The next round of UN climate talks starts in Bonn on June 4, this time with the presence of ministers who will discuss key political issues which can be resolved ahead of a successful. . .

• China to limit carbon emissions for first time - Absolute cap to come into effect, climate adviser says on the day after US announces ambitious carbon plan

<> With Developing Worlds Policy Support, Global Renewable Energy Generation Capacity Jumps to Record Level - REN21's Renewables 2014 Global Status Report is the world's most frequently-referenced report on the renewable energy market, industry and policy developments

<> In Debate Over Coal, Looking to Lessons of '90s Tobacco Fight – The so-called War on Coal is reminiscent of the War on Tobacco, in which a truce took hold in large part because the states dependent on the. . . 

<> Final Arguments Conclude in Precedent-Setting Fracking Case - New York's highest court hears oral arguments in epic legal battle for the right of towns to ban oil and gas development within their borders. . .

<> Senate EPW Oversight Hearing Nuclear Safety – Testimony, statements & webcast including NRC's Implementation of the Fukushima Near-Term Task Force Recommendations and other Actions to Enhance and Maintain Nuclear Safety

<> Groups Fight to Protect Endangered Species From Dangerous New Pesticide - Conservation and food safety groups filed a lawsuit against U.S. EPA for failing to protect endangered species from a new, toxic pesticide called cyantraniliprole which the Agency's own assessment says it is "highly or very highly toxic" to scores of endangered species. . .

<> d-CON Agrees to Pull Super-Toxic Rat Poisons From Stores - d-CON agreed on May 30 to stop producing its super-toxic rat poisons and pull the products from store shelves by early next year. 

<> CASAC Review of the EPA's Health Risk and Exposure Assessment for Ozone - Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee peer review of the EPA report. . .

• Background, Meetings & Documents

<> Report offers alternative to eminent domain for transmission - The Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA), based in Lyons, Nebraska, recently published a report in which it outlines an alternative to eminent domain.

<> BACKGROUND NOTE and facts about the EU's role and action G7 summit in Brussels 4 – 5 June - BACKGROUND NOTE and facts about the EU's role and action G7 summit in Brussels 4 – 5 June

<> Urgent action needed to safeguard genetic diversity of world's forests, UN study says - Urgent action to better manage the genetic diversity of forests – under pressure from climate change, exploitation and conversion for other uses – is needed to ensure that the. . .

<> DOE-Sponsored Project Shows Huge Potential for Carbon Storage in Wyoming - June 3, 2014. The Wyoming Rock Springs Uplift could potentially store 14 to 17 billion metric tons of carbon. . .

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Wednesday, June 4, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Nothing We're Tracking Today (click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

Great Lakes News

 

<> IJC Report: Sixteen key physical, chemical, biological indicators recommended for assessing Great Lakes - Sixteen indicators of Great Lakes health, composed of 41 separate measures, are recommended as tools to assess progress toward cleaning up and protecting the lakes under The Great Lakes Ecosystem Indicator Project Report released by the International Joint Commission (IJC).

<> Algae blooms are bad news for Lake Erie anglers - Lake Erie will likely see another summer of miles-wide toxic algae blooms as heavy rainfall continues to pump phosphorus from farms and other sources into the lake.

 

Michigan News

 

<> Gov. Rick Snyder: The Detroit legislation is an example of a state pulling together, making tough decisions for a brighter future

• Michigan's $195M Detroit package wins final approval - A $195 million contribution to resolve Detroit's bankruptcy passed the Michigan Senate, which sent the legislation to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature

<> MDEQ new Renewable Operating Permit (ROP) applications, reports and comment periods

<> Au Sable hatchery poses resource, economic questions - A debate has sprung up among the Au Sable River's entrepreneurs, government agencies, fish experts and anglers over the expansion of an aquaculture hatchery.

<> Public invited to provide input on new Kirtland's Warbler Conservation Plan - In 1966, the Kirtland's warbler was listed as a federally endangered species; today, history is being made as this unique songbird may soon be delisted. Comments due by July 28.

<> Snyder makes appointments made to Citizen-Community Response Coordinating Council

<> DNR invites public to attend June 17 workshop on future management of Coldwater Lake State Park

<> Public meetings to review Menominee River State Recreation Area draft plan concepts set for June 11-12

<> State Bar of Michigan membership should remain mandatory, task force tells supreme court - The task force's report recommends a change to the state's administrative rules, making the bar association's authority clearer by removing language that would authorize issue. . .

<> See new photos of the first section of Flint-to-Lake Huron pipeline going in the water - The first section of a new pipeline that will bring water to Genesee County from Lake Huron is in the water.

<> State of Michigan considers rail line purchase to improve trail system -

ONTONAGON - State officials are considering acquiring 13 miles of inactive railway line in Ontonagon County to provide key trail connections for the area. The land involved totals 160.6 

 

Michigan Legislative Tracking 

 

Newly introduced bills and bills that are moving, if any, are listed below. Click on the bill number for complete status, full text, & analyses. Uppercase is Senate action; lowercase is House action. Otherwise, for a complete list of environmental legislation this session (click here).

 

   • SB 0020 of 2013 Environmental protection; permits; hazardous waste permit eligibility; restrict based on certain criminal convictions. Last Action: 6/3/2014 referred to second reading

   • SB 0444 of 2013 Natural resources; nonnative species; permits for treatment of aquatic invasive species; revise, and authorize certain local ordinances. Last Action: 6/3/2014 referred to second reading

   • SB 0613 of 2013 Natural resources; wildlife; game killed by a vehicle; allow salvaging of. Last Action: 6/3/2014 referred to second reading

   • SB 0795 of 2014 Natural resources; nonnative species; prohibited species violations; increase penalties.

Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-3

   • SB 0796 of 2014

Criminal procedure; sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for prohibited species violations; enact. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0797 of 2014 Natural resources; nonnative species; instrumentality of violations; provide for forfeiture of. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0799 of 2014 Natural resources; fishing; commercial fishing licenses; provide suspension procedures for aquatic prohibited species violations. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0800 of 2014 Natural resources; hunting; suspension of hunting, fishing, or trapping rights; provide for under certain circumstances. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0959 of 2014 Environmental protection; hazardous waste; liquid industrial waste site identification number user charges; remove sunset. Last Action: 6/4/2014 received on 06/03/2014

   • SB 0960 of 2014 Environmental protection; hazardous waste; manifest processing site identification, and hazardous waste management program user charge; remove sunset.